The official blog of UK Forces in Afghanistan, run jointly from London and Helmand.

Soldiers welcomed back from Afghanistan with open arms at Colchester Barracks

“Eliza was so happy to see her daddy. She had a massive smile on her face, especially when he pulled out some toys for her.”

“Of course we have paid a huge price and as a battalion we have lost three men and the battle group as a whole has lost three, so six in all.
We will never forget the sacrifices of those guys.”

More than 150 brave soldiers have been given a heroes’ welcome as they returned home from a gruelling tour of Afghanistan last night. Wives, girlfriends and smiling children cheered and cried tears of joy as the troops from the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment arrived back at Colchester Garrison.

2 Para conducting foot patrols around Tor Ghai during Op HERRICK 13.

The homecoming was the largest contingent of troops to return from 16 Air Assault Brigade’s deployment to Helmand Province. The returning troops had been part of the 2 PARA Battle Group which was tasked with making the deadly Nahr-e-Saraj district secure. It was a bitter-sweet return for the soldiers from 2 PARA, after three of their own were killed during the brutal six-month tour.

Click on either image to read the full article on the Colchester Evening Star website.

Soldiers welcomed back from Afghanistan with open arms at Colchester barracks.

could you please let us know if you are doing a welcome home parade for the para’s in colchester in May or June please. we would love to go to support them. What heros our young men are well done to all.